Is NOW the Best Time to Sell a House in Florida? | Houzeo (2024)

Well, you missed the summer peak but winter also offers opportunities to sell your home. Between Spring to Summer (March to July) is the best time to sell a house in Florida. 2024 has been no exception – the median home sale price hit an all-time high of $422,600 in April!

This period of the year sees a spike in demand for housing, and prices follow suit. Tampa, Orlando, and Winter Park boast the highest sale prices ($460K-$899K), in general. Homes here typically sell within 30 days and receive about 2 offers.

Conversely, Coral Gables and Lauderhill homes often stay on the market for 61 to 71 days. Understanding market trends in different cities can help while selling your home. It also makes the experience of listing your house on the MLS smoother.

Why Does Timing Matter?

Timing your Florida home sale can influence how quickly and how much it sells for. Spring and early Summer are the best periods for a home to sell faster and for more money. Demand, market competition, and pricing trends dictate the best time to sell.

The Florida housing market is dynamic. Winter sales are heavily influenced by the seasonal influx of out-of-state buyers known as ‘snowbirds’. Weather variations, particularly the hurricane season, can also heavily affect your returns while selling.

What Is the Best Time to Sell a House in Florida?

The best time to sell a home in Florida depends on your goals, whether maximizing profits or selling quickly:

1. When is the Best Time to Sell a Home in Florida for a Higher Profit?

April, May, and June are the best months to sell a home in Florida. In July 2023, the median sale price was $404,400. In 2024, it went up 1.3% YoY and hit 409,700. This is in line with the pattern of YoY increase in home prices over the last 3 years.

However, some cities like Doral and Palm Beach Gardens follow an upward trend all year round.

» Home Value Calculator: You can find your property’s current fair market value in a few seconds and list the home accordingly.

2. Is This a Good Time to Sell a House in Florida Quickly?

No, April and June are the best time of the year to sell a house in Florida quickly. However, sales have been slow in 2024, with homes spending a median of 58 days on the market so far. This is a noticeable jump, compared to 41-45 days last year.

The recent NAR Settlement has significantly influenced this trend, with buyers still adjusting to changes. Significant mortgage rate cuts are also not expected, which means the market will likely continue on its current trajectory.

Homes spending more days on the market means conditions favor buyers. However, people who move due to job relocation tend to do it during November and December. So, look for home buyers active during this period to sell faster.

3. Which Is Best Day of the Week to List Your Florida House?

Thursday is the best day as 21% of homes nationwide are listed on Thursday and get better exposure. Homes listed at the start of the week had to stay longer on the market.

The reasoning is simple – people attend home tours on the weekends. List your home on Thursday after 5 p.m. to make it work for you. With enough time, you can arrange for showings on the weekend and, possibly, get a few offers by Monday.

4. What Is the Best Season to Sell Your House in Florida?

Spring is theprimary housing seasonof the year. If you are flexible about when to sell, wait until late spring or early summer to list your home. This can yield quicker sales and higher profits.

These seasons are the best time of year to sell a house in Florida for three reasons:

• Families can settle without disrupting their kids’ schooling.
• Fall and winter are busy seasons, leaving little time for house-hunting.
• Summer offers longer daylight hours and better weather, ideal for scheduling house showings.

Can I Sell My Florida Home in Winter?

Yes, you can. Outstation buyers often visit or ‘snowbird’ to Florida during the cooler months to buy or rent out a second home for the holidays. 34% of Americans considered ‘snowbirding’ in winter 2024. 38% of them planned to head to the Southern U.S.

Snowbird activity is an important factor that determines the best time to sell a house in Florida. Consider this: around 2/3rds of the owners of condos valued between $200k to $500k had their primary residence outside Florida.

Snowbirds account for over 30% of Florida’s RV park and seasonal accommodation business. Fall and winter are ideal times to market your home to this group. This is because they often want to quickly purchase a home before heading back north.

When Is the Best Time to Sell Your House in Florida?

Florida had the second-largest net population gain over last year, according to the latest available data. This can potentially lead to a hike in homebuying activity. Having said this, it does not mean it is always a good time to list your property.

Check this table to find the worst and best time to sell a home in Florida according to prices over the previous year:

When Should You Sell Your Florida House?

Here’s when you can consider selling your home:

When You Need a Change in Life

Sometimes, there are situations that demand a change in your life, such as:

• Job-Relocation: Say you have received an appealing job offer, but it demands relocation. This situation can force you tosell your house in a slow market.
• Adverse Neighborhood: You may need a safe neighborhood for your family or a house closer to your kids’ school.
• Divorce: Homes often hold sentimental value for couples. But after a divorce, you may consider selling it a practical option.

When Market Conditions Are in Your Favor

Favorable market conditions can get you a top-dollar rate. Some factors that affect the Florida housing market are:

• Economy: Economic indicators like manufacturing activity, GDP, employment rate, costs of goods, etc., influence the market. When the national economy is slow, so is the real estate market.
• Interest Rates: Lower interest rates boost the demand for mortgages. This affects the real estate sector, increasing the price of the homes.
• Government Policies: The government can temporarily create a favorable housing market by implementing tax credits, subsidies, and deductions.

When You Are Financially Prepared

Here are a few factors to know if you are financially ready:

• Affordability: The average mortgage rate affects the affordability of buyers. Check in advance if the interest rates are surging or are expected to decline. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate, as of September 12th, is 6.39%.
• Downgrade Your Expenses: Say you own a bigger house and want to save on your property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA fees. You can sell the bigger house and move into a smaller one.
• Equity for New House: If you have gained enough equity in your home to fulfill a healthy down payment on the next one, you can consider selling it at the right time.

Is Now a Good Time to Sell a House in Florida?

Yes, you can list your Florida home now. However, if you have the flexibility to hold off the sale, we would advise waiting for a little longer for greater profits. Fall will be here soon, and winter sees a lot of homebuying activity from a certain demographic.

If you want to sell your house in Florida quickly and for higher profits, list it on the MLS. Houses listed on the MLS sell for 17.5% more than those off the MLS.

Houzeo can get your Florida home listed on the MLS for a flat fee. With Houzeo, your listing gets syndicated to the online database of homes for sale. You can also save up to 3% on agent commission.

Eager to Know How Houzeo Works?

We’ve got you covered. Check out the following video to understand how Houzeo works and why it is one of the best For Sale By Owner websites in the U.S.

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